Smart Tips for Keeping Your Cool This Holiday Season

It’s that time of the year again. Your Halloween decorations are still up and spooking the neighbors—and not in a good way. You haven’t started your gift shopping or decided which dish to bring to your in-laws for the holidays. There’s no way his mom will let you walk through the door with another ambrosia salad. Seriously what were you thinking?

What if I told you there is a way to make your holiday season a little stress-free? What!? You say. But how?

SIMPLY DON’T STRESS: Yep! It’s really that easy. Make up your mind that this year will be awesome, no matter what. Take your time to do things, stop and enjoy the snowflakes once in a while, and don’t put pressure on yourself to make everything perfect. Stick to obtainable gifts. No need to plan a custom gift for every person on your Christmas list. Sometimes, it’s hard to remember that the season is all about spending time with friends and family, so don’t waste your time trying to find the perfect presents, decorations, or dinner recipe that distracts you from just enjoying the people around you.

AMBIENT MUSIC: This is always a great way to destress or focus. Don’t be afraid to ditch the traditional holiday music this year. Instead, try a nice playlist of a winter storm, crackling fireplace, or the soft jingle of bells. It can change the mood for the better while you’re wrapping those last-minute gifts.

PUMPKIN SPICED DOWNER: Coffee is like having a can-do attitude inside a cup. It helps us feel like we can take on the day, as we try to siphon every drop from our mugs. Delicious, yes, but coffee actually heightens stress levels and causes irritability. Caffeine is a major Catch-22. Quitting can have the same effect, so don’t go cold turkey! Stick to what your body is accustomed to and think twice before reaching for that afternoon cup. It may be the fine line between being naughty or nice.

Whether it’s finally removing those last molten pieces of Jack O’ Lanterns from the front porch or it’s putting the final touches on your holiday menu, there’s always something else that needs to be done. That’s life. The important thing is not to sweat the small stuff and work through it, without missing all the holiday excitement that’s in the air.

From all of us at OstermanCron, we wish you a safe, fun, and stress-free holiday season!